A Canterbury Tale

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Introducing an anthology of historic Anglican writings in 2001, Rowan Williams, then Archbishop of Wales, wrote: “Notoriously, different groups within Anglicanism like to claim that they are the real heirs of [its] classical tradition.” He nicely anticipated the problem that has dogged and ultimately undermined his tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dr Williams announced yesterday that he would stand down at the end of the year, to become Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. Despite all the formidable gifts that he possesses as a Christian leader, he leaves the Anglican Communion in a weaker and more fractious state than when he